As I told you, I didn't have much of an internet connection in the last couple of weeks. I know whining is probably the best solution, but for once, I thought reading a good book sounds better! lol

My 17th birthday was exactly a month ago and I've received TONS of books this year. Seriously, if 14 books weren't enough, I got a $50 giftcard for a nearby bookstore! I'll probably be spending those on all the pretty paper and journals and little bookmarks they've got! Don't get me wrong, I love reading, but 14 books? Really?

I've been enjoying Spark's book for 4 evenings in a row now. The book is just amazing. I totally recommend it to you if you haven't read it yet.

Here's a closeup of some foam stickers I got a couple of weeks ago. I thought they'd be useful, and sure enough, I was right! I used them right away on birthday cards, journals and some random drawer labeling. Why do you need an excuse to use stickers? lol

Now is it just me or does everyone else find it extremely hard to make any card at all for a guy?

I mean, no "pretty" ribbon, no butterflies, no PINK! 90% of the cards I make are pink for god's sake!

Well, it's one of my close friend's birthday tomorrow and I just had to make him a little something along with the gift. At first I made up my mind that I'd just stick to blue, red, or green bunting (you know, less girly colors) and some cutout balloons and that would be it. But then I've found some really cute cliparts on the internet and the temptation to add those to a card was just stronger than my so called "Manly Card Plan".

Oh well!

I have to admit, I'm a sucker for vintage cliparts. Something about the simple and pretty drawing style just really appeals to me. I couldn't resist when I saw this little girlie. It just had to be on a card!

But then I realized it's not the type of card my guy friend would appreciate. So I moved it aside and make this:

Ah! Much better! No girly colors, no flowers, no hearts, and most important, no pink!

I think he'll love it. Or at least I have all ten fingers crossed he'll like it.

That's it for today peeps! Head over to Stamping Ground to see more workdesks from all over the world.

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leave a comment on here. Let's see if I can make some new bloggy friends!

Lovely shots of your desk,...you do see what I mean by your addiction to pastel colours huh? It all looks so inviting, like sweeties! Many many happy returns, I'm totally with. You on the gift certificate spending...even at some 30 years older than you, I think I'd spend it exactly the same way!!

Your card turned out beautifully, I'm sure he will love it and yes guys are so hard to make anything for but you nailed it. You certainly got quite a few books, I think using your gift card for bookmarks is a great idea. My youngest daughter loves to read and I've made her heaps of bookmarks. She selects a bookmark to go with the theme of the book. Have a great week.Von #44

Happy Birthday! I hope you male friend appreciates the card you made for him. I like it! Books are great to have, but I'm a sucker for the papers and notebooks and such also found at bookstores, so shop away! I'm now following your blog and you'll follow mine at http://goinovertheedge.blogspot.com.

Lovely cards you made. I love reading too, but I agree, 14 books are a bit over the top. It might have something to do with the fact that toys are no longer appropriate and people don't really know what to get you.Happy very belated WOYWW!Tertia #49

14 books is nothing, I wouldn't want to count the books I've read this year ;) 20 is a small guess, that's just one authors books in a series that I have read in the last couple of months! But then I love to read, which is what I'll be doing as soon as I log off tonight. I do have a quick question for you, do you know a young girl named, Hadiyah Shabir? Let me know if you do. Thank you for the peek at your desk, and have fun with all those stickers....your not putting a sticker on your hamster are you? lol just joking! And love the card you made for your friend, I bet he loved it too. waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)

I'm sorry I haven't been by in a while. Fourteen books is quite a lot! I've been on a reading binge lately (yay). The cards you made your friends are great! You are very talented -- I like your writing.